Commencement: The Start of Something New
As most of our upper school students know from Latin, commencement, though considered a goodbye, is actually the word for beginning. This duality explains why it is often so bittersweet. We proudly reflect on the accomplishments of our graduates, and realizing that this next journey is one they have to go alone is hard. While graduation does mark the end of the Class of 2021’s time at GUS, it is more importantly a celebration of a new beginnings - the start of a new chapter - and our graduates are ready!
Our graduates aren’t the only ones headed for great things, commencement is also the time when we as a school prepare to begin again and there are great things in store for GUS next year. No doubt, we are all ready to return to some sense of “normalcy”. We are excitedly planning trips and preparing classrooms. Teachers are reviewing curriculums and making lesson plans. They use summer well as they imagine new projects, reimagine tried and true practices, hold onto important lessons learned over the past two years, and bring back aspects of our program that we have greatly missed. As one year ends, another begins, and we are excited for this next chapter for GUS as well.
This spring, the Association of Independent Schools in New England’s (AISNE) Membership Committee unanimously voted that Glen Urquhart School receive continued accreditation through the 2026-2027 school year. Undergoing our five-year review gave us an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and where we are going as an institution. This review, coupled with our long-range plan, makes it clear that now is the time for GUS to dream big! The new beginning that this year represents is a wonderful opportunity for our school to keep exploring and imagining, just as we expect our students to, as we look to be the best version of GUS we can be. In all ways, we strive to be better with that sense of excitement and opportunity that always comes with the start of something new, especially the start of a new school year.
In order to ensure we have a great 2021-2022 school year, we will be focusing on student assessment and academic and emotional support next year. Chris Doyle will be joining Pam McCoy and Courtney Anastasia-Murphy as part of our academic support team. Maureen Twombly and our new Math Lab teacher, Cathy Sullivan, will also be assisting in making sure our students are where they need to be. In addition to support offered by our school counselor, Bre Brandt, we are partnering with independent counselors who can offer long-term counseling to students in and out of school throughout the academic year. Lastly, Peer Projects -Therapy from the Heart will be offering services here on campus during the school day. All of this is meant to provide our students with all they need to have a great year.
As I often quote, it is said that the “start of something new brings the hope of something great.” That is what commencement signals for all of us, not just for our graduates, but also for GUS. It was so wonderful to celebrate our graduates, but it is also wonderful to plan and dream about what will be for GUS as we begin again. Next year will be a wonderful year and we are so excited.
Until September, have a wonderful summer!
Gretchen Forsyth
Head of School